Stripped looking feathers??

[jay873]

I have a rooster that has feathers that look as if the have been stripped, he’s about 6 months old and this only started appearing about a month ago. It started around his tail then started spreading up his back and around his neck feathers. And now I see this type of feathers on one of the hens from the same breeder as I got him. Of course I don’t know if this is a disease or if it’s just a genetic defect from the breeders birds. He was affected by coccidiosis when he was younger and I did treat for mites using ivermectin around the same time this showed up. I also recently noticed him plucking out the hens feathers and calling the other hens to eat them. He has access to 17% layer feed and 22% all flock. Even with the decreased absorption from cocci as a chick he should be getting enough nutrients.

 

[Ponypoor]

I have a rooster that has feathers that look as if the have been stripped, he’s about 6 months old and this only started appearing about a month ago. It started around his tail then started spreading up his back and around his neck feathers. And now I see this type of feathers on one of the hens from the same breeder as I got him. Of course I don’t know if this is a disease or if it’s just a genetic defect from the breeders birds. He was affected by coccidiosis when he was younger and I did treat for mites using ivermectin around the same time this showed up. I also recently noticed him plucking out the hens feathers and calling the other hens to eat them. He has access to 17% layer feed and 22% all flock. Even with the decreased absorption from cocci as a chick he should be getting enough nutrients.

Shredding I think is the terminology for this feather look. It could be generic. Just incase the ivermectin didn’t get the mites you can spray with permethrin- I use horse bug spray. Spray the bird under the feathers (lift and spray), if you go this route the coop, roosts and nest boxes need to be sprayed. Clean out all bedding and start fresh. And of course it could be boredom and feather picking….

Sometimes you just have to try everything.

 

[TheDre]

Any resolution on this? My hen looks just like it and I can’t find answers anywhere.

 

[Ponypoor]

Any resolution on this? My hen looks just like it and I can’t find answers anywhere.

Have you sprayed for possible mites? You can also use ivermectin oral or ‘pour-on’ to treat any de-plumming mites.

 

[TheDre]

Have you sprayed for possible mites? You can also use ivermectin oral or ‘pour-on’ to treat any de-plumming mites.

I have not treated for mites. I have looked fairly thoroughly and not seen any signs. This is only affecting 2 out of 5 hens and I am assuming that mites would affect them all equally. Do you think thats true?

It has been about 8 weeks since these two girls first started getting scruffy and they both now have completely bare butts. I believe that it is likely feather picking. I have increased the protein of their feed (18%) and have started spraying a bitter anti-pick spray on the bare butt brigade. I have also increased their roaming time and enrichment. I'm open to any advice and will keep this thread updated on any progress.